Impasse resolved

New York

The 18-month-long impasse between a vestry in Accokeek, Md. and the diocese of Washington over the election of a rector opposed to the ordination of women ended Aug. 29 with a joint statement by the vestry and Bishop John Chane.

The statement named Rev. Stephen Arpee as the parish?s new rector, replacing Rev. Samuel Lee Edwards whom retiring bishop pro-tempore Jane Holmes Dixon had refused to accept on issues of obedience and acceptance of the ordination of women. Mr. Arpee, who succeeded Mr. Edwards after the latter resigned his orders to join a conservative church, has served in recent months as priest-in-charge for the parish.

A new agreement binds the Accokeek Christ Church vestry from appealing to the Supreme Court. The case was brought by Bishop Holmes in June, 2001 asking that a federal judge prohibit Mr. Edwards from officiating at Christ Church.